Tag Archives: bill anderson

Taylor Swift fans wait their turn for an autograph during Swift's 13-hour meet and greet at the CMA Music Festival in 2010 (photo: Larry McCormack/The Tennessean).

Perhaps no one has signed more autographs in the 40-year history of Fan Fair/CMA Music Festival than Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson, who has missed only one Festival since it began in 1972. So when we sought out a master to give autograph-seekers some friendly advice, the choice was obvious. Here’s what he had to say:

I continue to be honored every time someone wants my signature. These are not marching orders, but a few serious and not-so-serious suggestions as to how you might get the most of out of your autograph collecting experience.

First, if you find yourself face-to-face with one of your favorite performers, don't be nervous. I know that's easier said than done, because I've stood in a few autograph lines myself over the years. Just remember, you are paying this person a tremendous compliment by wanting his or her autograph. Don't tell anybody, but there was probably a time in their lives when they practiced signing autographs, just in case they might someday be successful enough for someone to ask. Autograph signing might just be a treasured thing for them as well as for you.

Never approach an artist and say, "You've GOT to sign my book... or my picture... or my T-shirt." They don't "got" to sign anything. Most artists will be more than happy to sign for you, but ASK them politely. The old rule about catching more flies with honey than with vinegar still holds true.

Make sure you know whose autograph it is that you are getting. Don't have Brad Paisley sign his name then say, "Thank you, Mr. Chesney" or, come to think of it, "Thank you, Ms. Swift!"

A slew of country artists will drive and ride down Broadway in Chevrolet’s shiniest new vehicles during the Seventh Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade, which begins at 11a.m. on Wednesday, June 8.

In addition to the stars, fans can also peep special CMA-themed vehicles, the Budweiser Clydesdales and the CMT Marching Band.

Directly following the parade is the Sixth Annual CMA Music Festival Chevrolet Block Party on the Riverfront. It’s free and open to the public and includes performances from Eli Young Band, Randy Houser, Josh Thompson, Uncle Kracker and others.

Follow Chevrolet on Twitter (@Chevrolet) for the latest updates on these events.

Click image to view a photo gallery of the induction ceremony at the Music City Walk of Fame. This image: New inductees, country music legend Bill Anderson and four-time Grammy Award winner Keith Urban. (Larry McCormack/The Tennessean)

Urban attended with his wife, Nicole Kidman, and was introduced at the podium by his friend and fellow country star Ronnie Milsap. Urban had plenty of kind words for Nashville, the city he's called home for 19 years.

"For however many years it took (to make it), and there were a lot of them, I was grateful that this town was a great place to live in, and still is," he said.

Anderson, who was introduced by Sen. Lamar Alexander, noted that it was a particularly happy day for him; that morning, he'd logged online to see his son and daughter-in-law in China with their newly adopted daughter. "I look forward to bringing her down here and showing her (my star)," he said.

Permanent medallions in the stars' names will be installed in the sidewalk in Walk of Fame Park on Demonbreun, between 4th and 5th Avenues South. The Walk was created in 2006 as a way of honoring notable Nashville-affiliated music industry figures. The Music City Walk of Fame is a product of Music City, Inc., which is the Nashville Convention & Vistors Bureau's charitable foundation. Gibson Guitar is the presenting sponsor, and GAC, Durango, the City of Nashville and Metro Parks are also sponsors.

"We are honored to induct these amazing artists into the Walk of Fame," said Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau president Butch Spyridon, in a statement. "They represent the immense talent and creativity that make Nashville Music City."

Anderson penned his first hit country song when he was 19, and he has been a force in music for more than a half century. A Grand Ole Opry member, Anderson has written or co-written songs including "Mama Sang A Song," "The Tips Of My Fingers" and "Give It Away," and his songs have been recorded by disparate talents including James Brown, Lawrence Walk, Dean Martin, Aretha Franklin and Porter Wagoner.

Urban is one of modern country's biggest stars, having recorded No. 1 singles including "You'll Think of Me," "Days Go By" and "Sweet Thing." His 2002 hit "Somebody Like You" was named the decade's top country song by Nielsen BDS.

The Walk of Fame Park induction ceremony on May 15 is free and open to the public.

Country musician Joe Taylor, whose “He’s a Cowboy Auctioneer” was recorded by Country Music Hall of Famer Tex Ritter and who worked shows with Ernest Tubb, the Everly Brothers, Bill Anderson, Johnny Cash and many more, died Thursday, March 24 in his Avilla, Ind. home. He was 89 and had battled heart problems.

Mr. Taylor, whose daughter Paula Jo Taylor is a Nashville-based musician, was among the best-known country performers in the Hoosier State. He fronted Joe Taylor and the Red Birds for more than a half-century, and his decision to remain in Indiana rather than attempt to forge a career in Nashville inspired daughter Paula Jo and son Dan to write the biographical song “Big Fish in a Little Pond.”

Mr. Taylor relished his prominent position in Indiana country music, recently signing autographs in a hospital for a bedridden woman who wanted to meet him: “They rolled him over to her room, and he sang to her,” said sister-in-law and Red Birds member Patty Corbat.

Corbat also recalled a trip to the Grand Ole Opry in which Mr. Taylor found himself backstage, around a bevy of Opry performers. He began to introduce himself to country star Steve Wariner, who quickly stopped him with an, “I know who you are: You’re Joe Taylor.” Wariner went on to explain that when he was a child, he went to one of Mr. Taylor’s shows at Buck Lake Ranch in Angola, Ind., and that Mr. Taylor invited him onstage to play with the Red Birds.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, March 31 at 12:30 p.m. at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St. Joe Road in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Anderson, who remains an Opry star and an in-demand Music Row songwriter (try to find anyone else who’s had songs recorded by Kenny Chesney, James Brown, Dean Martin and Lawrence Welk), joined the Opry in July of 1961. His first song as a member was “Po Folks,” a Top 10 country hit, and he doesn’t recall a flood of press or notoriety concerning his induction.

“They didn’t make a big deal out of it back then,” he says. “There was no hoopla or anything.”

Fifty years later, there’s more hoopla, and Monday there’ll be a resolution with the word “whereas” appearing 17 times, followed by a “be it resolved” statement congratulating Anderson on his contribution to country music and to the state. Best of all? No partisan bickering.

Songwriter Dallas Frazier, who penned classics including “There Goes My Everything,” Elvira,” “Beneath Still Water” and “Fourteen Carat Mind,” will be honored as a “Poet and Prophet” on Saturday, Dec. 11 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, in the next edition of the Museum’s Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters series.

Museum editor Michael Gray hosts the 90-minute program, which will include an in-depth interview, a performance and recordings, photos and film clips. Immediately following the 1:30 p.m. program, Frazier will sign autographs in the Museum Store.

Frazier took a lengthy sabbatical from the music industry to pursue the ministry. He returned to songwriting in 2006 and made his first public appearance as a songwriter in 20 years during a Songwriter Session at the Museum. His program inspired the Museum to launch its Poets and Prophets series, which has celebrated writers including Bill Anderson, Bob McDill, Curly Putman, Hank Cochran and Craig Wiseman.